Commentary on the EULAR recommendations for the management of Fibromyalgia – Source: Nature Clinical Practice Rheumatology, June 17, 2008

[Note: EULAR stands for the European League Against Rheumatism – representing 18 research centers in 11 countries. To read a brief synopsis of their nine recommendations for FM management, published in 2007, click here. And for information on Dr. Clauw's current FM protocol, click here.]

The EULAR evidence-based recommendations for the management of fibromyalgia syndrome offer an excellent overview of the studies in fibromyalgia published to date.1

The authors painstakingly evaluated all the clinical trials performed in fibromyalgia, and, using only those studies of sufficient quality, developed a series of evidence-based recommendations for the assessment and treatment of this condition.

Their recommendations concerning pharmacological interventions are nicely augmented and complemented by sensible expert opinion on the overall therapeutic approach to fibromyalgia and the use of nonpharmacological treatments.

The overall message of the manuscript is appropriate and well described:

Fibromyalgia is an eminently treatable disease,

And a multidisciplinary approach that utilizes both pharmacological and nonpharmacological therapies is optimal for most patients.